We get asked all sorts of interesting questions about the building. From "How do you clean the ceiling?" to "How is the building funded?" ... you'll find the answers to the questions we are most frequently asked here.
If the answer to your question doesn't feature on this list, please use our Contact Form to ask.
When is The Forum open?
The building is open to the public seven days a week, from 7am to midnight, closing only on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Full details of opening times for facilities within The Forum can be found on the
Opening Times page.
What can I do if I have a problem when using the building?
The Building Services office is the first point of contact for general enquiries, including lost property and enquiries regarding the car park. It is located on the ground floor of The Forum next to The Learning Shop.
All Building Services staff are qualified first aiders.
They deal with security, safety and emergency operations and ensure a safe, clean and efficient facility for all visitors. Staff are on site 24 hours per day, 7 days each week, 365 days a year.
How often are the public areas of the building cleaned?
There are cleaning staff on site throughout the day, 7 days per week, to clean both internal and external areas. The toilets are cleaned hourly. However if you notice any problems please report these to Building Services so that they can be dealt with promptly.
How do you clean the glass façade and the ceiling?
Once every six months, a specialist team, including abseilers, comes in to The Forum to clean the glass front and the ceiling. The ceiling is cleaned using a cherry picker which is driven into the building and lifts the cleaners up 20m to reach the glass ceiling. Abseilers attach themselves to the steel rods and clean the glass as they descend. The work is carried out once the building is closed to the public and usually takes three evenings to complete.
When is the car park open and how much does it cost to park there?
The underground car park is accessible from Bethel Street and has 204 spaces. It is open seven days a week from 7am to midnight, closing only on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Click here for more information.
There is a height restriction on the car park entrance of 2 metres.
What services are offered at The Forum?
There are a number of facilities offered at The Forum including a cash machine and public telephone. Full details can be found on the
Facilities page.
How was construction of The Forum funded?
The £65 million project was funded by a £31.5 million grant from the Millennium Commission and matching support from Norfolk County Council, Norwich City Council and the business community.
How is the building funded today?
The Forum is managed by The Forum Trust, a self-financing, independent charity. Funds for events in the building come largely from grants, sponsorship and partnership working arranged by the Trust while running costs are met by the both the Trust and building tenants. Costs for long-term maintenance of facilities such as the car park will be provided from a "sinking fund" which all tenants contribute towards. No council tax money is used to fund the work of The Forum Trust nor does it receive ongoing funds from the National Lottery.
